the Gibson factory pics had me thinking. Before i left America i took a few trips around the country to some random places - you know see America just in case i don't get back because a plane decides to land at an unscheduled location or something. I spent a week in graceland/memphis and a week in Las Vegas. It might be hard to believe but i had a better time in Graceland than i did in Vegas. It just felt cooler to me. I really dug learning about Elvis and all the positive great things he did for the world instead of the media clips we are shown Ad nauseam and other parts of Memphis are very cool too. I am not bashing Vegas, just didn't feel like my town. can anyone else compare the two? Or has anyone else gone to a destination hot spot and went "eh"?

I'm not a gambler so Vegas and Casino's have little appeal to me but I've been there a few times since the early '90s and I've enjoyed it in small doses. The strip used to be great to walk just for the people watching and the displays/shows in front of the casinos. Everything has changed drastically over the years and the strip is an entirely different place. Vegas no to me is basically the airport. Its convenient, or has been, to fly in/out of nonstop affordably and I drive from there.

Memphis is great but I've done it enough times that I don't have plans to go back many more times. I'll be back in December for something and will do the tourist things becasue a friend wants to go who's never been. Graceland I've been in and out of more than a few times and have been fortunate enough to have access to it and parts of the grounds to cover an event. Until recently they had major plans to redevelop the whole area with Graceland the focus but the downswing of the economy put a big hold on that.

For anyone that's interested here are some pix of Graceland and Elvis related Memphis

http://www.pbase.com/jroy/memphis

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The state of Tennessee in general has an Ora of country music around it (NASHVILLE/MEMPHIS).Those two towns alone have seen the entire gambit of country music from one explosion to another. Good Food & Good Music make for a most entertaining visit not to mention the historical attractions. As a kid, we drove through Tennessee several times and never stopped, except for gas or something. I would love to spend some tine there.
I've never been to Vagues at all, but everyone in The U.S. has the image embeded in our minds. Movies and TV have made it as familiar as our own home towns. I don't like what I see. But what do I know. There must be something there or folks wouldn't flock to it as they do. maybe its the Big Name Entertainment and the gambling. Don't forget the SUN
Like the man said: Why would anyone want to head north? When they can head South.
----Danny,

As a native-born son of Las Vegas I can unequivocally state that the town is an "acquired" taste. The unwary are quickly fleeced on The Strip and those without an appreciation for and/or interest in the history of southern Nevada will find little to enjoy. I suspect Memphis has similar caveats.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

When I went to Memphis years ago I actually felt like I had come home-the place felt that comfortable for me.Since I had seen every Elvis movie umpteen times Graceland was a must.Just to stand in a room surrounded by all the guitars that Elvis played in his movies-guitars that I had recognized from the movies-was like a religious experience. I went into a blues club on Beale St.one night and the band was playing all kinds of funk and Motown style music and I had a great time there and stayed there 'til I stumbled out at closing time.Memphis is the prime place for a Blues/Funk lover just as Nashville is the Mecca for country fans.
Some day I will go back to Memphis and stay much longer than I stayed before.I spent just 5 days there but it was a work related convention/seminar so I had to sit through that most of the time I was there and had to sneak off just to see Graceland.If I had to pick somewhere I'd rather live than right here it would be a toss up between St. Thomas, Virgin Islands or Memphis.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I've been to Sun Studio and Graceland. Much preferred over Vegas, even though I was there in April. 926 East McLemore Avenue, Memphis is another cool place, but not as cool as it used to be. (Stax Museum).

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

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i have been to both and Memphis and graceland is Awesome--when we go to Vegas , its for the Nascar race so its not just a visit for us--if there was no race i would choose Graceland--big Elvis Fan

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order